Freddie Mac balks at buyout in Denville

Couple prevented from selling flood-ravaged home to township

11:32 PM,
Mar. 24, 2013

Claudio and Michelle Ledesma with son Jordan, 4, by their abandoned home in Denville. The home was ruined by Irene and is one of 11 the township is slated to purchase. Karen Mancinelli /For the Daily Record

Written by

At least one homeowner in a neighborhood devastated by Hurricane Irene will not be permitted to accept an offer from the Township Council to buy them out.

The Cape Cod at 15 Riverside Drive owned by Claudio and Michelle Ledesma was one of 11 homes the council agreed by ordinance to buy out last August, with the intention of demolishing and replacing them with a rain garden to help prevent flooding in the surrounding area.

Funding was obtained through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Morris County flood mitigation program and Green Acres. According to Township Administrator ...